Hi educator2012,
Next time you have to work on a reading comprehension text (and let �s face
it they are often at the beginning of each new unit in your book) try this
method:
Give each student a blank A4 sheet of paper. This exercise is best done
with the students sitting in a circle, but could be adapted as and when
necessary. Put the title of the text on the board and get them to put it on the
top of their sheet of paper. Tell them to imagine what the text is about and
draw a line down the left hand side of the paper - just large enough for
vocabulary.
Ask each student to write 12 words that they think will be in the text according to the title.
When they have found their words tell them to pass their sheet on to the next
person and they will collect the one from the other side. They now have to
select 3 words from the list and in the right-hand column, write the first
paragraph using these 3 words and adding (of course) anything in order to
make the paragraph interesting. Tell them to cross out the words as they use
them. They must not forget the title of the text, but will have to adapt
each time because of the new words to use.
When they have finished their paragraph they pass on the sheets and do the
same as before, take 3 words to make the second paragraph � pass on, take
3 words � write the last paragraph which could be the conclusion to the
text. They pass on their sheets for the
last time and they read what they have in front of them � a text written by 4
people!!
Either you, the teacher, could correct the texts and leave them in the
classroom for them to see later or get some of them to read �their� text out
loud. I prefer the latter, even with their mistakes, they love it. They are now ready and willing to read the
text to find out if it has anything to do with theirs!
This has worked for years for me (in all levels) and we always have a good
laugh because the texts have NOTHING to do with the one we are going to read,
but it takes the boredom out of reading comprehension.
Let me know if you try it out and how it worked.
Janet
